14/10/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | OCT 14, 2025

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Grand-cations

o Grandparents, grandkids redefining family travel G RANDPARENTS and grandchildren are hitting the road together – and often without parents. Skip-generation (skip-gen) holidays are rapidly gaining momentum across Asia Pacific, according to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report released recently. Families are redefining how they travel, with a stronger focus on stays that foster togetherness, create lasting memories and strengthen bonds across generations. Skip-gen travel on rise Six in 10 respondents (60%) across the region report having taken – or planning to take – a skip-gen holiday. The trend is strongest in China (86%) and India (79%), where cross-generational travel has moved from novelty to mainstream. In China alone, more than three-quarters (77%) expect to book at least one to two skip-gen holidays in 2026, hinting at a future where skip-gen trips may rival traditional family vacations. “The rise of skip-generation travel highlights a fascinating shift in how families are connecting,” said Hilton Asia Pacific senior vice president and commercial director Ben George. More than vacation The opportunity to create lasting memories is the driving force behind skip-gen travel, with 58% of families

across the Asia Pacific region choosing it for this reason. The sentiment is the strongest in India (67%), Australia (64%) and New Zealand (63%), where around two-thirds of families cite memory making as their top motivation. In Japan, however, the priority shifts, with nearly half of families (47%) – and 50% of grandparents themselves – pointing to experiencing new things together as the main reason for these trips. Beyond the numbers, skip-gen holidays give grandparents and grandchildren the chance to share one-of-a-kind experiences, strengthen bonds and build family traditions. In China, nearly half of grandparents (46%) are initiating such holidays, highlighting the growing influence of older generations in shaping family travel and the importance of choosing stays that support every generation’s needs. Well-being boost Family holidays are not just about connection – they also support health and well-being. Nearly nine in 10 (89%) respondents believe travelling with family improves the well-being of grandparents. For grandparents, quality time with grandchildren is the most valued part of travel (50%), suggesting how multi-generational travel can benefit emotional and physical health. Thoughtfully designed stays that include wellness amenities, accessible dining and senior-friendly services are becoming essential in ensuring older generations can travel comfortably while reaping the health benefits of family togetherness.

For many travellers in Asia Pacific, spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority.

activity on their platforms. If these were unintended consequences 10 years ago, what are they now? This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in the digital age.” Markle added that the couple often discussed how they would protect their own children, six-year-old Archie and Lili, four, as they grow older. “Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers. That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible,” the duchess said. Quality time over downtime According to Hilton’s global research, respondents’ number one motivation to travel for leisure in 2026 is to rest and recharge (56%), but for many travellers in Asia Pacific, these motivations are different as spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority. Six in 10 (61%) say quality time matters more than downtime, a sentiment particularly strong in India (72%) and China (62%). When it comes to activities, culinary exploration (69%) and visits to historical and cultural landmarks (63%) lead the way, reflecting families’ desire for stays that inspire discovery, learning and meaningful connection. This trend is especially pronounced in Singapore, where more than eight in 10 families (81%) cite culinary exploration as their top family activity – a nod to the city-state’s vibrant and celebrated food scene. Rooms for all ages Beyond skip-gen, multi-generational travel continues to grow. Nearly half (48%) of families in Asia Pacific take holidays with three or more

The couple’s Archewell Foundation announced its Parents’ Network initiative is joining forces with ParentsTogether, a non-profit organisation dedicated to family advocacy and online safety. The move comes as the duke warned of “the explosion of unregulated artificial intelligence (AI)”. “As our network grew, we’ve seen the full scope of what we’re facing. We have witnessed the explosion of unregulated AI, heard more and more stories from heartbroken families and watched parents all over the world become increasingly concerned about their children’s digital lives. “When we learnt that thousands of generations at least once a year – a trend particularly strong in China (78%) and India (65%). The top motivations include strengthening family bonds (60%) and creating lasting memories across generations (57%). Accommodation plays a crucial role in enabling inclusive stays. Nearly half of families (48%) prefer interconnecting rooms or family suites, while 42% prioritise senior-friendly facilities and services such as mobility aids, medical assistance and accessible dining spaces. Relaxation and wellness amenities (42%) are also important, underscoring the need for stays that cater to every generation. Key insights for 2026, beyond These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report The Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point , highlighting how grandparents and grandchildren are reshaping the way families travel. Hilton’s survey of more than 14,000 global travellers across 14 countries, along with proprietary insights from more than 5,000 Hilton team members and feedback from 1,000 Hilton Honours

members,

highlights

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additional trends, including: 0 Hushpitality: Seeking

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families from every corner of society were facing the same challenges, many learning for the first time that it was actually social media that took their child, we knew this movement needed to grow. “These families are not only up against corporations and lobbyists, many of whom spend tens of millions of dollars every year in suppressing the truth, but also algorithms designed to maximise data collection at any cost. And their kids? They weren’t struggling with mental health issues, they weren’t distinctly vulnerable, they were preyed upon,” Harry added. – Bernama-PA Media/dpa silence In 2026, travellers will look for destinations where they can dial down life’s distractions. Seeking calm – even moments of silence – signals a change in why people are travelling, where they are going and how they will relax. 0 Home comforts are the new ‘carry on’ Travellers are grounding their trips in familiarity, seeking comfort and a sense of home even while away. They are bringing everyday routines with them, and as familiar rhythms help travellers feel more relaxed, many are also taking time to recharge and pursue personal passions – turning time off into time well spent. 0 Inheritourism: Travel runs in the family As children grow up, many continue travelling with their parents, bringing familiar preferences shaped by years of shared travel. From hotel choices to loyalty programmes, parental influence still plays a key role in moulding how travel evolves across generations.

For grandparents, quality time spent with grandchildren is the most valued part of travel. – ALL PICS FROM 123RF

Prince Harry warns of social media’s harmful impact on children BRITAIN’S Duke of Sussex has warned that the impact of social media on children is “one of the most pressing issues of our time”.

children have been harmed or lost forever to social media. Four thousand cases at just one firm. And that number represents only those parents who have been able to link their child’s circumstance to social media use. “Parents who have learnt legal action is possible, who have the capacity to pursue it while grieving, and parents who’ve found their way to help in the fight back against some of the wealthiest, most powerful corporations in the world. “And even after this, there may be no road to closure for grieving parents because these companies refuse to disclose their child’s information and

Prince Harry and his wife, Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex were speaking at the Project Healthy Minds Gala in New York, where they received an award for their humanitarian work. Citing 4,000 families are taking legal action through the Social Media Victims Law Centre, the duke said more needed to be done to protect young people from online dangers. Harry said: “4,000 – that’s how many families the Social Media Victims Law Centre is currently representing – families whose